daily sunshine

I just can't get enough of this boy! He loves to be on his tummy. He moves himself all over his crib--he'll be crawling before we know it!

my latest project

A few weeks ago a woman in our stake gave me this bookshelf:

It matched perfectly with our computer desk--which is why she gave it to us. I was having a hard time trying to figure out where I was going to put it. After some thought I decided to put it in my kitchen area. I figured it would help clear up some counter space and might be a little fun. I also decided that I wanted to paint it. I'm still waiting on some baskets I ordered to use for it... but here it is now:

I love it!

two little blackbirds sitting on a hill

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill

One named Jack, the other named Jill

Fly away, Jack! Fly away, Jill!

Come back, Jack! Come back, Jill!

Two little blackbirds sitting on a hill.

William's class recited this poem for the entire school Wednesday morning (it's only pre-K and Kindergarten). He had told me the whole thing Tuesday. He had it down pat. Our entire little family went to watch him.

William is the kid fourth from the right with his blackbirds covering his face.

I asked him after school why he didn't recite the poem. He told me, "I was scared. I didn't like all the grown-ups looking at me." Oh well. Maybe next time.

take me to the fair!

Grandpa Crane was nice enough to take us to the fair last weekend. The boys just loved it... at least for the first half hour. We had fun seeing all of the animals getting ready to get judged: cows, goats, horses, llamas. The boys especially liked seeing the cows get vacuumed!

Grandpa, William, Rich, and Dad looking at the cows.

We were going to watch the pig races but they turned out to be a lot later than we originally thought. We did get to see Elvis and Lucy the potbellied pigs... and Swifty the piglet. He was super cute.

James, Grandpa, and William with Elvis and Lucy the pigs.

By this time the boys were getting pretty whiny. Grandpa even bought each of the boys a Spiderman... but it didn't help much. So we decided to stop by the kids area. It was a hit! I think the boys loved it more than anything else we did. William especially loved the little film we watched--"Grocery Store Wars" starring Ham Solo, Cuke Skywalker, Chew Broccoli... you get the point. James really liked petting the bunny and seeing all the bugs.

James, William and Grandpa watching the goats.

Thank you Grandpa for taking us to the fair! We all had a great time!

rub-a-dub-dub...

... three boys in a tub.

Alex has started taking baths with the two older boys and they all love every second of it. William and James think it's so cool to have the baby in the tub with them. And Alex? He laughs and laughs the entire time he's in there! It's just too much fun.

But if anyone likes taking a bath it's James. At least 5 times a day he asks me, "Take bath?" I seriously think he'd live in the water if we let him.

can you believe it?

Alexander is 4 months old today! It seems that he's been part of our family forever... he fits right in. Shhh... don't tell his brothers, but he is our best baby yet! Here are some facts about the adorable Alex:

*He sleeps through the night--most nights from 8:30 until 7 in the a.m. James doesn't even do that.

*He is incredibly smiley. As long as someone is talking with him he is as content as can be... he just wants to be included in the party.

*He hates being sweaty!
*He loves holding onto things.

*He's not one to hold grudges--even when an older brother accidentally hits him with a toy or purposely steps on him (James).

*He doesn't even leak out of his diapers like his brothers did.

*His favorite way to sleep is on his tummy... but he's a huge drooler so his sheets usually get pretty damp.

*He loves taking baths with William and James. He laughs the whole time!

*He is adored by his brothers.

We are so blessed to have him in our family! Happy 4 months Alex!!

garden fresh

The past several years we have attempted growing a garden. And nearly every year we leave for vacation in July only to return to a crispy garden. Or some years we just couldn't get ourselves to walk all the way to the back corner of the yard where the garden plot was. So this year we moved the garden right against the house. Right next to the hose. With a little bit of shade.
Before we left for our vacation the only harvest we had was Rich's sugar snap peas. He loves them but we can never keep them going for too long. One plant was growing like crazy but Rich couldn't remember where (or what) he had planted. So we let it grow. We thought it might be squash. Or zucchini. Upon arriving home we found it was a big weed. And when I say big what I really mean is "as tall as our house." Dang it. Rich picked the flowers before he chopped it down.
But we found another thing too... a huge cucumber! We've actually gotten quite a few of these and they are delicious!And then there was our one small cantaloupe. That's right... just one. As sad as this is... this is our biggest garden harvest yet. We've learned a few more things and next year we may do even better.